ZooKeys 674: Revision of the Neotropical Green Lacewing Genus Ungla (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae)

This study revises the taxonomy of Ungla – an obscure but widespread, attractive, and potentially useful Neotropical genus of green lacewings, part of the insect order Neuroptera. Prior to the study, Ungla species were known to occur in a variety of settings – natural, agricultural, and horticultural. However, they could not be identified, and their value as natural enemies of phytophagous pests could not be assessed. The revision here recognizes twenty-five valid Ungla species based on distinctive external features and subtle differences in male abdominal morphology. It assigns five previously misidentified species to Ungla, describes seven new species, and identifies ten new synonymies. It provides keys, detailed descriptions, and images for identifying and classifying all known species in the genus. And, it supplies information on the distribution, biology, and literature of each species. As a result of this work, the genus is now poised for biological investigation and evaluation.

The study also illustrates a fascinating geographical pattern of distribution. Ungla species now appear to comprise two geographically distinct groups: one in southern South America (specifically Argentina and Brazil) and the other in more northern areas of Neotropical America (Andean and Caribbean regions, Central America, southern Mexico). No overlap of the distributions is known to occur.

Introduction   3
Materials and methods   4
Specimens examined   4
Notes of Phillip A. Adams   6
Lectotype designations   6
Measurements, terminology, abbreviations   6
The genus Ungla   9
Current status   9
Taxonomic history   9
Generic characteristics   10
Geographic distribution   11
Classification of Ungla species   12
Systematic treatment of species   13
Part 1. Ungla species from southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America (Bolivia and northward)   13
      Key to adults   13
      Ungla adamsi Tauber, sp. n.   15
      Ungla banksi Tauber, new replacement name   23
      Ungla bolivari (Banks, 1913), comb. n.   30
      Ungla curimaguensis Sosa, 2015   36
      Ungla demarmelsi Sosa, 2015   42
      Ungla diazi Sosa, 2015   48
      Ungla favrei (Navás, 1935)   53
      Ungla grandispiracula Tauber, sp. n.   61
      Ungla laufferi (Navás, 1922)   67
      Ungla martinsi Sosa, 2015   76
      Ungla mexicana Tauber, sp. n.   82
      Ungla nigromaculifrons Sosa, 2015   86
      Ungla pallescens Penny, 1998   90
      Ungla pennyi Tauber, sp. n.   95
      Ungla quchapampa Tauber, sp. n.   101
      Ungla siderocephala (Navás, 1933), comb. n.   106
      Ungla stangei Tauber, sp. n.   113
      Ungla yutajensis Sosa, 2015   119
Part 2. Ungla species from southern South America (Argentina, southern Brazil)   122
      Key to adults   122
      Ungla annulata Navás, 1914   123
      Ungla argentina (Navás, 1911)   132
      Ungla chacranella (Banks, 1915), comb. n.   140
      Ungla confraterna (Banks, 1913)   153
      Ungla elbergi Tauber, sp. n.   165
      Ungla ivancruzi Freitas, 2007   171
      Ungla steinbachi (Navás, 1925), comb. n.   175

Species inquirendae   179
Species incertae sedis (probably Ungla)   184

Acknowledgements   185
References   186